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Bug Squad

Bug Squad blog image depicts a honey bee sting in action.

Welcome to the Bug Squad blog! The Bug Squad blog was launched Aug. 6, 2008 and is a daily blog (Monday through Friday). It showcases entomologists and the work they do.  The blog focuses on scientists in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, the Bohart Museum of Entomology, Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, the UC Davis Bee Haven, and assorted campuswide events, including UC Davis Picnic Day, UC Davis Biodiversity Museum Day, and Bohart Museum open houses. The blog spotlights insects, including bees, butterflies, dragonflies, and praying mantises, as well as arachnids such as jumping spiders and crab spiders. Author and photographer is Kathy Keatley Garvey, communications specialist, UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, and a longtime journalist and community scientist with two degrees from Washington State University.  She is a member of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) and the Association for Communication Excellence (ACE). Her blog posts and images have won international awards from ACE and ESA and appeared on journal and magazine covers. She shoots primarily with a Nikon Z-8 mirrorless camera, a Nikon D500 and Nikon 800, with assorted macro lenses. Feedspot lists it as one of the top entomology blogs on the Internet. 

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A male Valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipuncta. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The Wild Ones! Want to See Them in a Documentary?

March 2, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
You've probably seen some of them in your garden, but have you seen them up close? Really close? Have you seen the male Valley carpenter bee, that green-eyed blond fondly nicknamed "the teddy bear bee?" (Well, it does have that fuzzy-wuzzy look, and it being a male, has no stinger.
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A beekeeper smoking a hive. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

The UC Apiary Newsletter Is Smokin'

February 27, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
If you're looking for the newsletter, from the UC apiaries, it has a new home. The new UC California Cooperative Extension apiculturist, Elina Lastro Nio, has moved it to her website now that Eric Mussen has retired.
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Vern Burton at 85. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Remembering Vernon Burton: 1924-2015

February 26, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Family, friends and colleagues are remembering Vernon Burton, 90, known for his 38-year exemplary career with UC Cooperative Extension, including 10 years as a Kern County farm adviser in Bakersfield, and 28 years with UC Davis Department of Entomology (now the UC Davis Department of Entomology and...
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Emcee Bill Rains (left) congratulations Robbin Thorp. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Two Who Make a Difference

February 25, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
They are two who make a difference. Native pollinator specialist Robbin Thorp, emeritus professor of entomology, received the 2015 Distinguished Emeritus Award and Hugh Dingle, emeritus professor of entomology, received an Edward A.
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A honey bee gathering nectar from a bush germander at CornerStone Sonoma. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

How Are These Two Alike?

February 24, 2015
By Kathy Keatley Garvey
What does a bee have in common with a bulldog? If you've ever been to Cornerstone Sonoma on Arnold Drive (Highway 121) in Sonoma, and admired the luxurious gardens and intriguing shops, you know. The bees go head-first in the blossoms and Axel, an English bulldog, goes head-first in a bucket.
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